Woman ejected from Bay Bridge crash swims to safety

A tractor trailer hit a car sending the driver over the guardrail of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. (MSHA Bay Bridge camera)

WASHINGTON – A collision involving a tractor-trailer and two vehicles sent a car and its driver over the side of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and down 40 feet into the water on Friday night, but the driver was able to climb to safety.

Anne Arundel County Fire Battalion Chief Steve Thompson said the driver, a 22- year-old woman, was rescued and flown to Maryland Shock Trauma in Baltimore. She was in critical condition late Friday with non-life-threatening injuries.

Thompson said the collision occurred at about 8:25 p.m. Friday in the eastbound lanes of the bridge, which connects Maryland’s Eastern Shore with the rest of the state, including Annapolis.

The accident occurred about a quarter-mile onto the span. The vehicle went into water that was about 8 feet deep. She managed to get herself onto a piling of stones around the bridge support. A boater saw the incident and stayed with the victim until emergency responders arrived and transported her by boat and helicopter. She was conscious, alert and asking questions, Thompson said.

There were no other injuries. The Bay Bridge was shut down eastbound, toward the beaches, as the accident was investigated.

The collision was reported at 8:24 p.m. Friday night near exit 32 eastbound, at the Sandy Point overpass resulting in all eastbound lanes of the Bay Bridge to close due to the accident and traffic has been severely slowed in both directions. Crews continue to investigate the incident.

Drivers with additional information are asked to call 410-222-8647.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow WTOP on Twitter.